Draft rigging



' Sept. 29, 1936- D. s. BARROWS DRAFT RIGGING Filed Aug. 25, 1931 2 Sheets-Sheet '1 INVENTOR ATTORNEY D. s. BARROWS DRAFT RIGGING 2 Sheets-Sheet. 2

Filed Aug. .25, 1951 INVENTOR ATTORNEY m Kw ww I IIIIH/ J||| II I Y HI WWW k QWU 1,, .Q fi l I| 1 W Mk w w m m 1. m w k. lw T mmwwww mm A Patented Sept. 29, 1936 DRAFT RIGGING Donald S. Barrows, Rochester, N. Y., assignor to The Symington Company, Rochester, N. Y., a corporation of Maryland Application August 25, 1931, Serial No. 559,269

20 Claims.

' This invention relates to draft rigging and, more particularly, to such in which universal angling of the coupler is permitted and the cushioning mechanism is mounted approximately midway-between the ends of the associated railway vehicle.

The principal object of my invention, generally considered, is the provisionof a longitudinally slidable frame, the outer portion of which receives a coupler with provision for angling thereof, and the inner portion of which is adapted for connection with associated cushioning mechanism.

Another object of my invention is the provision of draft rigging involving a longitudinally slidable frame normally connected to cushioning mechanism for resisting draft and bufling movements thereof, the forward portion ofsaid frame being pocketed to receive the rear portion of an associated drawbar, and a key connecting said drawbar and frame for the transmission of draft forces and passing through slots in said members, the slot in said drawbar flaring forwardly or outwardly to a portion of larger radius at the front end than at the rear end for affording agreater range of vertical angling for said drawbar than if the slot had parallel sides.

A further object of my invention is to provide a frame mounted for longitudinal sliding movement ,with respect to an associated railway vehicle, the outer portion of said frame being pocketed to receive the stem of a swivel buttcoupier and having a forwardly facing curved wall engaging the correspondingly curved rear end of said coupler stem to permit vertical angling thereof, the rear portion of said frame being connected to cushioning mechanism.

A still further object of my invention'is the provision of a frame slidably mounted between the sills of a railway vehicle and adapted to receive and resiliently support a drawbar or coupler stem and permit universal angling movement thereof.

An additional object of my-invention is the provision of cushioning mechanism for railway vehicles involving a special form of yoke having arms connected by a lower web for supporting draft geara'the ends of said yoke being pocketed to receive the innerends of draft rods adapted for connection to couplers at opposite ends of the vehicle, wherebythe same mechanism is utilized for absorbing. shocks received from either end of said vehicle. l

Other objects and advantages of the invention relating to the particular arrangement and construction of the various parts will become appar- I) ent as the description proceeds. 7

Referring to the drawings illustrating my invention, the scope whereof is defined by the appended claims:-- 7 I Figure 1 is a vertical longitudinal sectional view of a longitudinally slidable frame and associated coupler and draft rod mounted between the sills of a railway vehicle and embodying my invention.

Figure 2 is a partial plan and partial horizontal sectional view of the embodiment of my invention shown in Figure 1. l Figure 3 is a fragmentary end elevational view of the embodiment shown in Figure 2, looking in the direction of the arrows 3-3.

Figure 4 is a fragmentary end elevational view, partly in section, on the line 44 of Figure 2, and looking in the direction of the arrows.

Figure 5 is a plan of the coupler carrier block shown in Figures 1, 2 and 3.

Figure 6 is a front elevation of said coupler carrier block.

Figure 7 is a fragmentary partial plan and partial horizontal sectional view of the cushioning mechanism, draft rod and draft rod guide for the sliding frame previously referred to.

Figure 8 is a partial, central vertical longitudinal sectional view and partial side elevational view of the mechanism shown in Figure 7.

Figure 9 is a sectional view on the line 9-9 of Figure 7, looking in the direction of the arrows.

Referring to the drawings in detail, like parts being designated by like reference characters, there are shown portions of a railway vehicle underframe involving center or draft sills I connected at their ends by combined castings '2 which are apertured, as indicated at 3, for each receiving a longitudinally slidable frame 4, each casting preferably having a lower, ribbed portion 5 adapted to support and guide the frame 4. The sills I, in the present embodiment, are composed of vertical plates 6 rigidified at top and bottom by angle irons I and 8, the top angle iron 1 serving for connection with the top cover plate 9. In order to provide a particularly rigid underframe, the depth of the sills l or webs 6 thereof is preferably greater at the center than toward the ends of the car, as shown most clearly in Figure 8. l

The frame or adapter casting 4 is formed with a lower web or wall l which slidably. engages the carrier portion of the combined casting 2, side walls II t which snugly fit between the sides of the casting 2 in the opening 3 thereof and between the webs 6 of the sills I, whereby said frame is properly guided for longitudinal movement, and a generally transversely extending web |2 which has a concave front face forming a forwardly opening pocket I3. The pocket I3 normally receives a correspondingly curved butt M of the drawbar, coupler, or coupler stem l5 at the frontend of which is desirably formed an automatic coupler head I6. 7 p

The stem l5, in the present embodiment, is

preferably formed with rearwardly extending flanges ll intercalated with flanges |8 extending forwardly from the swivel block I9, and all of said flanges intersected by a vertical pivot pin 20 which thereby pivotally connects the coupler stem and swivel block, forming a swivel butt coupler of a type such as shown, for example, in

my prior Patent No. 1,431,717. In the present embodiment, the lower portion of the pin 26-issupported on a forwardly extending shelf 2| integrally formed on the lower flange l9 of the swivel block, said pin being locked in place by means of a cotter 22 extending thereabove through' lugs 23 upstanding from the' upper flange l8 of said swivel block. The free edges of the intercalated flanges H and I8, as is usual,

are curved coaxially with respect to the pivot and held or interlocked in place in any desired manner, as by means of a lug 25 on the front face of said shim normally received in a corresponding pocket in the rear of the swivel block |9, whereby euniversal swiveling movement of said coupler is provided for.

The coupler is desirably connected to the frame '4,for the'transmission of draft forces,'by means I of a normally horizontal key 26 which is re- 'ceived'inregistering slots 21 in the frame 4 and a corresponding slot 28 in the coupler, stem l5, said slot 28 desirably flaring forwardly from a rear end of relatively small radius, on which the key 26 normally seats, .to a front end of larger radius, thereby providing for the desired vertical angling of said coupler without increasing the width of the slot at the rear or critical portion thereof, formed in the swivel block |9. The ends of the key 26,desir.ably snugly fit in theslots V '21 and are held in place, as by means of cotters,

or the like, 29, whereby said frame functions as the forward portion of a yoke.

Io rigidify the frame and provide a limit stop against upwardmovement of the,coupler, a tie member 39, preferably inverted U'-shape in crosssection, is provided; the ends of which are con ne'cted'to the side walls H of the frame by bolts 3| provided with corresponding nuts, said tie member 36 desirably interlocking withthe side walls'of the frame, asby having lug portions 32 fitting in corresponding pockets 33 adjacent the upper forward corners of the side walls I. L 'In order to resiliently support the coupler so as to provide, for downward swiveling movement thereof, the lower wall of the frame 4 is desirably formedwitha pair of upstanding, transversely extending flanges 34, between which are received a carrier or block 35 preferably formed with an upper web 36 normally underlying the coupler stem 5 for the support thereof, and provided with depending flanges 3'| embraced between the upstanding flanges 34 and resiliently supported therebetween by spring means such as helical springs 38 held in position by means of upstanding lugs 39 on thecframe 4 and depending lugs 460m the carrier block 35.

In order to prevent dislodgment of the carrier block 35 and limit movement thereof, said block is desirably connected to the flanges 34 by means of bolts 4|, and corresponding nuts, passing through apertures in the flanges 34 and through slots 42 in the, flanges 31 of the carrier block 35, said slots being sufiiciently elongated to permit the desired movement.

The transverse'wall l2 of the frame 4 has extending rearwardly therefrom a reinforcing structure 43 involving a rearwardly opening pocketed portion 44 reinforced 'by upstanding and depending webs 45 and 46, the former of which flares forwardly. from the flanged'rear portion 4'| of the pocketed portion 44 to the top of the transverse -web-|2 and thelatter of which flares forwardly and connects with the lower Web ID of the frame'4 The pocketed portion 44 is intersected by a slot 48, and said. slotted portion is continued by outstanding flanges 49 to the sides of'the frame 4, thereby providing a relatively large bearing area for a key 56 normally-received therein and connecting said frame with the outer or front end of the associated draft rod 5|. 'Ihe' slotted portions extending laterally of the pocketed portion '44 are desirably connected to the flanged portions ll of said pocketed portion by means of horizontal web or gusset portions 52; Said laterally extending slotted portions 49 are'desirably connected to the sidewall portions l of the frame 4 by means of flaringflange portions 53 forming, in effect the rear portions of yokes or links integral with the frame for connecting the front key 26 with the rearwardly disposed key 50.

The draft rod 5| extends rearwardly or inwardly through a bolster center filler casting and draft rod guide 54 and at its inner end is connected to-the adjacent end of a special form of yoke 55, as by fitting in a pocketed end portion'56 thereof, and being connected thereto, as by means of a vertical key 51 fitting slots 58 in said 'pocketed portion'56, and a corresponding slot 59 in the draft rod 5|. The center filler casting and guide 54 is desirably formed with side walls 66, connected to the sills and bolster transoms 6|, and a transverse web 62 extending therefrom and having longitudinally extending web portions 63 providing a longitudinal guiding aperture 64 for said draft rod 5|. The web 62 is desirably rigidified at top and bottom by'horizontal webs 65 and 66 and formed below the draft rod guide aperture 64 with a thimble 61 of normal construction adapted to receive the king-pin.

The yoke 55, only one end of which' is shown, is desirably symmetrical about the line 68, and comprises side walls 69 connected by a bottom wall and normally supported for longitudinal sliding movement between the sills, as by means of angle irons The ends of the side and bottom walls of the yoke 55 are-connected by the pocketed portions 56 receiving the draft rods 5|.

The yoke or yoke-acting means, in the present embodiment, is adapted to receive cushioning mechanism consistingof a plurality of or four cushioning-devices or units '12, each unit, of which may be of'any desired form, but in the present embodiment is shown as comprising an outer spring element 13, the inner surfaces of the rectangular coils of which provide generally cylindrical friction surfaces, receiving friction wedge members such as shoes 14 and wedging or wedge shoes15 held in frictional engagement with each other and with the spring 13 by means of the central or spreader member 16, connected to a follower or end member 14 as bymeans of a bolt '15 and associated nut 16?. The shoes 14 and wedge shoes" 15 have outer peripheral flanges, which, as shown most clearly in vFig. 7, normally act on opposite ends of the associated spring 13. Between the end cushioning units 12 and the ends of the yoke are disposed followers or follower members 11 receiving horizontal keys 18 which pass through corresponding slots 19 in the yoke and in cheek plates 8| and the sills i of the car. The keys 18 serve as stops against which the cushioning mechanism is compressed upon movement of the yoke in one direction, the slots 80 in the cheek plates 81 being elongated inwardly to permit movement in the other direction, so that one of said keys and its associated follower functions as a stop upon draft action from the corresponding end of the railway vehicle, and as a follower for compressing the cushioning mechanism upon buffing action from the same end .of said vehicle. The member 55 also acts as follower and housing means for the assembled cushioning units. Of course, it will be understood that when forces are transmitted from the other end of the railway vehicle, the key which formerly acted as a stop against draft movement, would then act as a follower inducing compression of the mechanism, and vice versa. When in a train, the cushioning mechanism will be actuated upon movement of said mechanism and yoke with respect to the sills and body of thevehicle. Because of the fact that draft and buffing forces are transmitted without cushion through the draft rods from coupler to coupler and the mechanism for cushioning forces delivered to the body is of high capacity, the arrangement shown is adapted for special service s'uchlas transformer cars.

The lower web or wall 10 of the yoke 55 is desirably apertured, as indicated at 82, for reducing the weight of said yoke, which is preferably formed as a casting, and allowing for the escape of dirt and 'rust, or the like, as well as inspection of the parts of the cushioning mechanism without dismantling. The individual cushioning units are desirably separated by follower plates 83, and the central follower plate defining the center of the yoke is not necessarily disposed at the center of the car when the gears are in normal position, as the cushioning mechanism may, if desired, be offset from said center.

From the foregoing, it will be seen that I have devised an improved draft rigging involving longitudinally slidable frames at the ends of the vehicle, to which frames are connected couplers, having a constant overhang with respect thereto regardless of movement, which are permitted to angle horizontally and vertically, and draft rods onnecting with common cushioning mechanism adjacent the center of the vehicle or between the bolsters thereof.

Although a preferredembodiment of my invention has been illustrated, it will be understood that modifications may be made within thespirit and scope of the appended claims, and that other for operatively connecting said cushioning mechanism to said sills.

2. Railway draft rigging comprising a, yoke formed with side walls connected by end portions, said end portions being adapted for connection with draft members, cushioning mechanism re ceived between the side walls of said yoke, a follower disposed between each end portion of the yoke and the adjacent end of the cushioning mechanism, and means extending through said followers and the side walls of said yoke for connecting said rigging to associated" sills.

l 3. Cushioning mechanism comprising a plurality of cushioning devices disposed longitudinally in series with one another, each of said devices comprising a coil spring, the material of said coils being rectangular in section, said coils being arranged so that the inner faces thereof provide generally cylindrical interior friction surfaces, a plurality of shoes with outer surfaces in engagement with the friction surfaces of each of said springs, a plurality of friction elements engaging the inner faces of said shoes in each spring, a wedge disposed in each spring between the friction elements therein, said wedge and friction elements having cooperating inclined friction surfaces normally in engagement, said shoes and friction elements of each device having outwardly flanged portions at their outer ends respectively acting on the opposite ends of the associated spring, follower means associated with said cushioning devices and having a longitudinal slot for receiving a key for connection with associated draft sills, the ends of said key to be received in slots in the sills elongatedfrom the normal position of said key in only one direction, whereby said follower means is adapted to alternately function as a stop and pressure transmitting element for directly effecting the compression of one of said cushioning devices upon actuating movement in one direction and allowing for the compression of all of said devices upon actuating movement in the other direction, and means for holding said cushioning devices and follower means in assembled relation, so that they may be handled as a unit even when not in place in a railway vehicle.

4. Cushioning mechanism comprising a plurality of cushioning devices disposed longitudinally in series with one another, each of said devices comprising a coil spring, shoe means flanged at its outer end and normally acting on an end of said spring, a plurality of friction elements engaging surfaces of said shoe means on the opposite side from said spring and formed with inclined friction surfaces, wedge means with correspondingly inclined friction surfaces engaging the inclined surfaces on said friction elements, said friction elements having flanged portions at their outer ends acting on the end of the associated spring opposite tothat acted on by the flanged portion of said shoe means, and follower ends of said key to be received in'slots in the sills elongated from the normal position of said key in only one direction,.whereby said follower means is adapted to alternately function as a stop and pressure transmitting element for directly effecting the compression of one of said 'cushioning devices upon actuating movement in one direction and allowing for the-compression of all said devices upon actuating movement in the other direction.

I 5. In railway draft rigging, in combination with slotted draft sills, a plurality of longitudinally aligned cushioning devices arranged'in series therebetween, each device comprising a central wedge, a plurality of wedge'shoes with correspondingly inclined wedging surfaces normally engagingthe wedging surfaces of the wedge, a plurality of shoes disposed outwardly of said wedge shoes and normally in frictional engagement therewith, and a spring receiving said central' wedge, wedgeshoes and shoes, said spring having coils the material forming which is rectangular in section and provides interior generally cylindrical friction surfaces normally engaging the outer surfaces of said shoes, said wedge shoes and shoes being formed with outer peripheral flanges normally acting on opposite ends of the associated spring, follower means associated with said cushioning devices and slotted for receiving a draft key the ends of which are received in slots in said sills for connection therewith, said sill slots being elongated one way only from the normal position of the key, whereby said follower means may be stopped from movement in one c direction and allowed to move in the other direction, and means associated with said cushioning devices including yoke-acting means for connection with an associated drawbar and means for holdingthe cushioning devices assembled with one another;

6. In railway draft rigging, in combination with slotted draft sills, a plurality of longitudinally aligned cushioning devices arranged in series therebetween, each device comprising wedge means'with inclined surfaces symmetrically arranged about the longitudinal axis of the device, a plurality of wedge shoes with correspondingly inclined wedging surfaces normally engaging the wedging surfaces of the wedge means, shoe means in engagement with the surfaces of the Wedge shoes opposite to those engaging said wedge means, and a coil spring coaxially arranged with respect to said wedge means, said wedge shoes and shoes having outer flanges normally acting on opposite ends of the associated spring, follower'means associated with said cushioning devices and slotted for receiving a draft key, the ends of which are received in slots in said sills for connection therewith, said sill slots being elongated one way only from the normal position of the'key, whereby said follower means may be stopped from movement in one direction and allowed to move in the other direction, and means associated with said cushioning devices including yoke-acting means for connection with an associated the frame to enable said coupler to angle vertically with respect to the frame, said frame having a forwardlyfacing curved wall, and said coupler having a curved rear end face corresponding to the curvature of said wall and nestingly engaging the latter for the transmission'of bufiing forces, said frame being extended below the coupler and provided with means normally engaging and supporting said coupler-forwardly of; the curved wall. 7 8. in combination with draft sills of a railway vehicle, a frame guided between and longitudinally slidable with respect to said sills, a coupler, and means for operatively connecting said coupler to the frame to enable said coupler to angle vertically' with respect thereto, said frame having a forwardly facing concavely curved wall, and said coupler having a convexly curved end face corresponding to the curvature of said wall and engaging the latter to transmit bufling forces to said frame, said frame being provided with a rearwardly opening pocket, the forward end of which is defined by said wall, said pocket being defined by side walls extending rearwardly from said curved wall and slotted for receiving the connecting draft key.

9; In combination with draft sills of a railway vehicle, a frame'longitudinally slidable with respect to said vehicle, and comprising a bottom wall, side walls and a transverse wall connecting said bottom and side walls, a coupler comprising a head and rearwardly extending stem portion, a swivel block pivotally connected'to said stem portion to permit horizontal angling of the head, and a key passing through registering slots in said stem,'swivel block and frame for connecting said coupler to said frame for the transmission of draft forces, the transverse Wall of said frame having a curved front face and said swivel block being adapted to angle vertically with respect to said face by having a rear end face corresponding to the curvature of said wall and normally nestingly engaging the latter for the transmission of buffing forces, the bottom wall of said frame being extended and carrying the spring supported block underlying the coupler stem to pr'ovide'for the support of the coupler forwardly of said swivel block while allowing downward angling.

10. In combination with draft sills, railway draft rigging comprising a draw bar, a frame longitudinally slidable between, and comprising side walls with outer surfaces parallel for their entire length, and disposed closely adjacent to said sills in order to be guided thereby, and a normally horizontal key passing through registering slots in portions of said frame on either side 'of said draw bar, a slot in said draw bar, and terminating short of said sills, said slot flaring forwardly from the rear end thereof to a forward portion of larger radius than said rear end for aifording a relatively greater range of vertical. angling of said drawbar'with respect to said key.

11. In combination with draft sills, a framewith side walls the outer surfaces of which are parallel for their entire lengthand received between and guided by said sills, the outer portion of said frame being pocketed, a coupler with its stem portion received in saidpocket, and means connecting said stem portion thereto for the transmission of forces therebetweem 12; In combination with draft sills, railway draft rigging comprising a casting mounted for longitudinal sliding movement between and guided by said sills, said casting having side walls, the outer surfaces of which are parallel for their entire length, snugly received between said sills, an upstanding web with a vertically curved front face, a coupler with a stem connected to said casting forwardly of said web, an adapter plate swiveled with respect to said casting by having a rear face curved to correspond with the front face of the web and nested with respect to said web, and a flat front face engaging the rear end of said coupler stern, and means holding said plate in place.

13. A yoke for cushioning mechanism formed with side walls connected by end portions, said end portions being formed with outwardly opening socket portions for connection with draft members and said side walls being slotted between said socket portions for receiving an associated draft key.

14. Cushioning mechanism comprising a plurality of cushioning devices disposed longitudinally in series with one another, each of said devices comprising a coil spring, the material of said coils being rectangular in section, said coils being arranged so that the inner faces thereof provide generally cylindrical interior friction faces, a plurality of shoes with outer surfaces in engagement with the friction surfaces of each of said springs, a plurality of friction elements engaging the inner faces of said shoes in each spring, a wedge disposed in each spring between the friction elements therein, said wedge and friction elements having cooperating inclined friction surfaces normally in engagement, said shoes and friction elements of said device having outwardly flanged portions at their outer ends respectively acting on the opposite ends of the associated spring, and follower means associated with said cushioning devices and serving to hold the latter in proper assembled position by preventing longitudinal movement of. one cushioning device away from another.

15. In combination with draft sills, railway draft rigging comprising a member connecting the ends of said sills and having a bottom-supporting portion and side-guiding portions, and a hollow frame received in said member, adapted to receive and connect with the stem of a coupler, having a transverse wall forming a rear abutment for said stem, and comprising a bottom wall slidable on said supporting portion and side walls disposed closely adjacent and guided by said side portions.

16. In combination with the sills of a railway vehicle, a yoke with side walls connected by a bottom wall and end portions, said end portions being adapted for connection with draft members, cushioning mechanism received between the side walls of said yoke, a follower disposed between each end portion of said yoke and the adjacent end of the cushioning mechanism, means extending through said followers, the side walls of said yoke, and said sills, for connecting said rigging to the latter, and elements secured to said sills and underlying said yoke for slidably supporting the same.

17. In combination with draft sills, mechanism comprising a plurality of cushioning devices disposed longitudinally in series with one another between said sills, follower means associated with said devices and having a longitudinal slot, a key received in said slot, the ends of said key fitting corresponding slots in said sills, said lastmentioned slots being elongated from the normal position of said key in only one direction, whereby said follower means is adapted to alternately function as a stop and pressure-transknitting element for directly effecting the compression of one of said cushioning devices, upon actuating movement in one direction, and allowing for the compression of all of said devices, upon actuating movement in the other direction, and means for holding said cushioning devices and follower means so that they may be handled in assembled relation as a unit, even when not in place between said sills.

18. In railway draft rigging, in combination with draft sills, a plurality of longitudinally aligned cushioning devices disposed in series therebetween, follower means associated with said devices and formed with a slot, a draft key, the ends of which are received in slots in said sills and said follower means slot, said sill slots being elongated, one way only, from the normal position of the key, whereby said follower means may be stopped from movement in one direction and allowed to move in the other direction, and means associated with said cushioning devices including yoke-acting means for connection with an associated drawbar, and means for holding the cushioning devices assembled with one another.

19. As an article of manufacture, a frame for supporting and connecting the stem of a coupler to associated cushioning mechanism, said frame having a forwardly facing concavely curved wall adapted to engage the butt of an associated coupler, for receiving bufiing forces therefrom, and provided with a pocket, the forward end of which is defined by said wall, said pocket opening rearwardly for the reception of a member connecting with said cushioning mechanism, said pocket being defined by side walls extending rearwardly from said curved wall and slotted for receiving a connecting draft gear.

20. Railway draft rigging comprising a frame mounted for longitudinal sliding movement with respect to an associated vehicle, by having a bottom-wall supported in frictional contact with a portion of said vehicle, a drawbar, means for operatively connecting the drawbar to the frame to enable said drawbar to angle vertically with respect thereto, a carrier underlying said drawbar forwardly of said connection with said frame, said bottom wall being extended to underlie said carrier, and springs supported on said extension, underlying and resiliently supporting said carrier while permitting it to angle downward from normal position.

DONALD S. BARROWS. 

